Murder Anonymous

Murder Anonymous

By Marv Lindberg

Copywrite 2012 Marv Lindberg

Published on Smashwords

ISBN: 978-1-62050-528-1

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Smashwords Edition, License Note

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

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Chapter One

Matt James was in a fix. In his way of thinking, this fix was not easy to fix. Matt had developed a real love of writing fiction. His way of writing was to get involved in the very crime he was writing about. The problem was, he was also a policeman.

Fifteen years ago, Matt was hired by Iron City Police Department. He rose to the rank of Sergeant. He specialized in homicide. Almost out of the blue, he began writing about every case he was involved in. It became an obsession with him.

Matt wrote only fiction. He chose to use pseudonyms, fake addresses, cities, etc. When he published his first book, he did not make the local police chief very happy.

Matt chose not to tell anyone that he had written this book. When he presented the Chief of Police with a signed copy of the book, the chief smiled, and said: I didn’t know you were writing!

Well, several days later, the police chief invited Matt into his office. To say the least, he was a little angry.

Matt, this story is about one of our recent cases that you were assigned to! You can’t just sit down and write about what you are working on without getting permission from us! What were you thinking?

Matt just sat there. He finally said:

Did you like it?

Well yes, but that’s not the point.

Can I have permission?

Matt, you’re not a journalist, you’re a policeman, damn it! There’s a little thing like conflict of interest!

You mean if I retired from the police department, and became a journalist, or a full time writer, you would give me permission?

Wait a minute here Matt. You can write a book if you want, but write about something that has nothing to do with our current cases. That’s all I’m saying here.

The problem is, I enjoy writing about what I’m going through. It’s fresh in my mind. And, it’s real. And don’t forget, I am a cop after all. That’s what I do.

And Matt, you’re a damn good cop. Don’t throw away your career just because of some quirk in the way you write.

So, I guess I’m going to have to retire. I really want to do this.

Matt, go home and think about it. Don’t make any rash decisions here.

Okay, I’ll do that. I will do that. Thanks chief. You’re a good boss.

"You know you are up for lieutenant next month. You’re a shoo-in to get it. Think very seriously about this writing thing.

Ah, I have to admit it. I really enjoyed your book. I really got into it. You have a flair for writing, ah

Ah, what?

Matt, you have fifteen years on the force. You can retire in ten years if you want. You can spend your whole retirement years writing whatever you want.

Chief, thanks for the advice. I respect you very much. I’ve learned a lot working under you. I’ll let you know in a few days.

I would really hate to lose you Matt. Really good cops are hard to find. You are one of the really good ones.

Thanks. Today is Friday. I’ll talk to you on Monday. I’ll have a decision then.

Good luck Matt.

Matt had a strange sensation as he walked out of the police station. This place has been like a second home to him the past fifteen years. He felt a certain comfort walking into the building. He had a lot of friends on the force. He was very respected as well. He was someone who the men in blue could count on in any situation.

Could he really give up all that?

As he sat down in the seat of his Jeep, he looked back at the police station. It seemed now almost like the feeling he had when he drove by his old high school: Good memories but not a lot of deep emotion.

He suddenly knew what he had to do. He would leave one phase of his life and enter another. Yes, that’s what he would do!

He sat up straight in his car seat, put the key in the ignition, and drove his vehicle out of the parking lot with a real sense of purpose. Where that would lead him, he could not foretell.

There was one person in his life that he had to contact right away. His long time girl friend, Cindy, would probably like the fact that he was leaving the police force. She was constantly telling him that she worried about him when he went after someone who was considered dangerous. Matt would always tell her that there was nothing to worry about. He had a great deal of confidence in his ability to take care of himself. She still worried.

Matt pulled his Jeep into the driveway of his home. His girlfriend had already arrived, and let herself in. She told him earlier in the day that she wanted to make supper for him. She had a key that Matt had given her the week before.

Giving her that key had a certain symbolic meaning. He had seen in a movie a couple of years ago that when you give your girlfriend the key to your home, it’s like giving her the key to your heart. An engagement ring would surely follow.

Matt thought about that as he walked through the front door.

Hi sweetheart! How does it feel coming home and seeing me in the kitchen? said Cindy happily.

I like it, replied Matt, as he walked over to kiss her. You look good in an apron. Hey, did you dye your hair?

How can you tell?

Hey, I can spot the littlest things you do to yourself. I’m an expert on how you look! What color is it now, auburn?

It was supposed to be a little reddish. I got tired of my usual brown. I’ve been brown-eyed and brown hair all my life. Time for a change, wouldn’t you say?

I like you either way sweetheart. But yeah, it looks good. What you got cooking? Smells good.

Lasagna. You said it was one of your favorite meals.

It is, it is. I see you also bought some Italian bread.

Matt picked up the loaf and smelled it.

Hey, this is really fresh. Where did you get it?

Oh, that bakery right on the corner where I live. I don’t even have to drive there to get it. It’s a two minute walk. I know one of the bakers there. I went to high school with her. She told me that they do a second bread baking around two o’clock, so I know it’s really fresh.

Good for you. And you have the salad made already. Boy you are efficient.

Nothing but the best for my Matt.

Matt puts his arm around her waist, giving her a peck on the cheek.

I can’t wait to eat. Let me go get cleaned up.

It was a great meal. Matt leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach with both hands.

That’s it. I can’t eat any more.

Ready for some coffee?

I am ready. Cindy, where did you learn to make that lasagna? It was really good.

My mother taught me that recipe. She made it about once a month for dad. You and dad had that in common. You both like lasagna.

Cindy poured Matt a cup of coffee. Matt took one sip. Now was a good time to talk to her about what was on his mind.

Cindy, I think I’m going to quit the force. It’s time.

Cindy just stopped in her tracks.

Wow! That is a surprise. Now Matt, you’re not quitting because of anything I said are you?

Not really.

What then?

Remember that I told you I want to write fiction?

Yes?

That’s why I’m quitting. I want to write. Now is the time. I just have to put my whole life into it. It can’t just be something part-time that I do.

Matt, I just finished the book you gave me. It was so good. I have to admit it, I couldn’t put it down. It was exciting. It was hard to believe all that was in the book came out of your head.

I gave a copy of the book to the police chief. He was upset that I wrote about a case I was involved in.

Yeah, but you didn’t mention any names or places around here.

Doesn’t make any difference. He was still upset. That’s the main reason I’m quitting the force. There’s a conflict of interest if I’m writing about something that really happened.

Have you told him you’re quitting?

Well, not in so many words. I said I will have a decision by Monday.

Cindy walked over to Matt and put her arms around him.

Oh, I think it’s wonderful sweetheart! You are doing something you really want to do.

Well, some people would say I’m stupid to give up fifteen years on the force.

Well, if you want to know the truth, I’m just a little bit happy that you are leaving. I do worry you know.

I know you do, but that’s not the reason I’m quitting. In fact, that’s the last reason I would quit. I never really minded the danger part of it.

I know. You’ve told me that many times. But still, I’m not disappointed. I’m happy you are doing what you really want to do.

Did I tell you I have a deal with a publishing company?

No! You’ve been holding out on me!

Well, I just got the letter two days ago. Getting that letter made me feel good about quitting.

So you can make a living writing?

I think so.

Cindy took both hands and cradled Matt’s face in them, and gave him a prolonged kiss.

Matt, you are full of surprises today. But you know, whatever you decide to do is fine with me.

You and the police chief are the only ones who know.

Maybe you should keep it that way.

What do you mean?

I mean just don’t tell anybody. Wouldn’t it be kind of mysterious that way?

You know sweetheart, I think you have something there. I never really gave it much thought, but now that you brought it up, I think it’s a good idea.

Yeah you already have a made up name as the author of your book. You are not using your own name, so it would be easy.

The reason I did that was so I wouldn’t be recognized by anyone involved in the case.

What are you going to tell your buddies on the police force?

I’ll tell them that I have a rich uncle that died and left me a lot of money.

You wouldn’t!

I would!

Cindy could not help but laugh. She wrapped her arms around Matt. She looked into his eyes.

I guess you are now A. B. Cranston.

I guess I am.

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Chapter Two

It was not easy for Matt to sit there in front of his longtime boss, and mentor. Chief Robinson closed the door of his office, sat down behind his desk, and asked Matt to have a seat.

Well Matt?

Matt took his badge out of his pocket, and put it on the desk. That was all he needed to do. Chief Robinson looked at the badge, and then looked at Matt. He nodded his head several times.

I think I expected this Matt. I accept your resignation. I don’t like it, but I accept it. I just hope you are making the right decision.

I think so Chief Robinson. I think so. I do have a request.

Yes?

What do you think about me writing about some of our past cold cases?

"It’s all fiction right. I mean you won’t be using any